Scott Clark posted on May 23, 2011 00:00
It was officially announced yesterday at wsop.com. I am one of one hundred players who qualified for the WSOP Circuit National Championship. The event is being advertised as a "One Million Dollar Freeroll". It is three days of poker for a Bracelet and the $300,000 first place prize. The WSOP announced this inaugural event last year. The prize pool is funded by 1% of the prize pools from every tournament on the circuit this year. Over 20,000 players played in this year's circuit events, but the WSOP Circuit still fell short of expectations. There is definitely an overlay and the 1% does not add up to the million dollars. I predict Caesars Entertainment will pay $250,000+ to the prize pool (speculation).
And I love it when there is an overlay, even for our friends at Harrah’s
"I am tied for the chip lead with 99 other players for a WSOP Bracelet. Not just any WSOP Bracelet, a one-of-a-kind bracelet and a piece of WSOP history. This post is not a Ruth-like called shot -- or a Joe Namath guarantee. This is the only guarantee I will make: I am going to Las Vegas with every intention of winning this inaugural event. They say winning is everything, but it isn't about the money for me. Making history would be more important to me than the $300K for first place. Those who know me, know I would be more of a candidate for "infamous" than famous, but this is my chance."
"How often does a lump like me have the chance to be famous?"
Can I win this thing? Of course I can. I think any one of the hundred players could win, and I will tell you why. A field of 100 is a "very manageable" field. No one player can run away with the chip lead, like in a WSOP event with thousands of players. I wouldn't declare any of these players "dead money" and last night I told a good friend I was probably a 120 to 1 dog in this field. "Maybe more" he replied.
I agree with Johnny, maybe more.
Here is a look at the caliber of players I will be playing against: (click on a player to learn more about them)
* denotes WSOP Bracelet Winner
CIRCUIT STANDOUTS -- Kyle Cartwright - Kurt Jewell - Huy Nguyen - Mstr Lynch Brett Schwertley - Will Souther - Tuan Bi Lea - Kevin Calenzo - Pete Mavro - Brian Walsingham - Matthew Waxman - Justin Kruger - Bob Talbot - Jesse Bryant - Brent Keller - Matt Lawrence - Roland Israelashvili - Rob Georato - Michael Foster - James Anderson - Gabe Patgorski - Seneca Easley - Kevin Manley -
The field includes two ladies. Traci Brown and La Sengphet.
My plan is simple. Play good. Cover up with hoodies, wear sunglasses and keep my fucking mouth shut when I am in the hand. I won't be showing any hands. I am going to watch the action intently -- looking for an edge at every turn. I plan to play the "tournament of a life-time" because this is a $10,000 Championship event -- and a chance to make poker history. I will chew gum to hide my facial tells, and refuse to go broke with one pair or on a bad steal. The final ten will be paid and Versus will roll the cameras in to tape the final table. The show will air later this summer.
I plan to get this mug on television. Again...